Long-term follow-up of treatment of chronic foot wounds with recombinant human epidermal growth factor in patients with different complications of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a dangerous complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), which can lead to the development of chronic wounds and amputations. Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) can be used as an adjuvant treatment for chronic wounds resistant to standard treatment. Studies have demonstrated its clinical efficacy, however, there is insufficient information on the long-term results of treatment, its safety and the effect on the progression of diabetes complications, adverse cardiovascular events and the development of cancer. AIM: To assess the long-term results of rhEGF therapy for trophic foot ulcers in individuals with multiple complications of diabetes. METHODS: The study included 20 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and various forms of DFS without critical ischemia, who had previously been treated with DFS using rhEGF in order to assess the general condition, progression of microand macrovascular complications of diabetes, adverse cardiovascular events, the development of cancer and the quality of life. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the area of wound defects, the percentage of granulation tissue that filled the wound defect, before the start of rhEGF treatment and at the time of discharge from the hospital (p <0.05). During treatment with rhEGF, mild adverse events were observed in 35%. Complete epithelialization of wounds in most patients occurred in 3 [2; 4] months. In 11.76%, the wound was not completely epithelialized. Relapse occurred in 5.8% due to non-compliance with limb unloading. Minor amputation was performed in 1 patient. Progression of diabetic retino- and nephropathy was revealed in 23.5%. 11.76% suffered myocardial infarction of unknown age, 1 patient (5.88%) suffered acute cerebrovascular accident. Serious adverse events in the form of PE with a fatal outcome and critical ischemia of the lower limb were recorded in 5.8%. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study of long-term results of rhEGF treatment of chronic foot wounds, a low percentage of relapses and small amputations, the absence of high amputations and oncological diseases, the development of serious adverse events in 2 patients, the progression of diabetic retino- and nephropathy in 4 patients, the development of IM of unknown age in 2 patients was recorded. and stroke in 1 patient after rhEGF therapy.